NYC Live Performance Photography | Evarlv.

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Performances

Music, comedy and nights you had to be there for

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Saxophonist James Carter wailing on stage at Minton's Playhouse, Harlem

Live Gallery

NYC live performance photography, from Harlem's jazz rooms to packed club floors. Pick a room, then pick a shot.

All Performances

Every room has its own light, sound and crowd. Browse it all, or step into one night.

Emily Beck singing at The Shrine, Harlem

Vocalist Ashley Keiko performing at The Shrine, Harlem — Ashley Keiko owning the room

Keyboardist with the Shrine Big Band at The Shrine, Harlem — The Shrine Big Band keyboardist

Saxophonist Kevin Oliver Jr. watching his band at Minton's Playhouse, Harlem — Listening before he leads

Saxophonist James Carter performing at Minton's Playhouse, Harlem — James Carter, acclaimed jazz virtuoso, in full flight

Trumpet player from the band Circular performing at The Shrine, Harlem — Circular's trumpet player

Performer Bruff working the crowd at The Shrine, Harlem — Bruff, da crowd pleaser

Lead singer of Crazy Mary performing at The Shrine, Harlem — Crazy Mary's lead singer, pure passion

Drummer from rock and roll group Fandango at The Shrine, Harlem — Fandango's drummer

Latin singer-songwriter Faustino performing at The Shrine, Harlem — Latin singer-songwriter Faustino

Singer Ali Caldwell, The Voice semifinalist, performing at The Groove — The Voice semifinalist Ali Caldwell

Vocalist Latoya Kennedy performing at The Groove — Latoya Kennedy

Brazilian musician on stage during the Harlem invites Brazil night at Room 623 — Harlem invites Brazil

Brazilian band playing a live set at Room 623, Harlem — Harlem invites Brazil

Brazilian performer lost in the music at Room 623, Harlem — Harlem invites Brazil

Brazilian artist performing for a Harlem crowd at Room 623 — Harlem invites Brazil

Audience gathered for the new piano celebration at Room 623, Harlem — A packed room for the new piano

Award ceremony for the donated piano at Room 623, Harlem — Award ceremony for the new piano

Pianist Luther S. Allison playing the new piano at Room 623, Harlem — Luther S. Allison puts the new keys to the test

The new donated piano on display at Room 623, Harlem — Room 623's new piano

Pianist Bertha Hope at the piano at Room 623, Harlem — Bertha Hope blesses the new piano

Know the Room

A concert photographer in NYC has to read the room before the band plays a note. Here's how I handle two of Harlem's best.

Minton's Playhouse 206 W 118th St, New York, NY 10026

Bebop was born here, and the room still feels like it. Minton's is a Harlem jazz supper club with Southern-leaning plates and a full cocktail bar, all served while the band plays. It's a small room, and the light is low on purpose: candles on the tables, a warm wash on the stage, shadow everywhere else. That's beautiful to sit in and brutal to shoot. It takes fast primes and careful high-ISO work to keep faces alive without blowing out the highlights. Seating is fixed supper-club tables, so there's no roaming the floor mid-set. You get the room's edges and one quiet angle, and every frame has to be taken without blocking a diner's view of history.

The Shrine 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd, Harlem, NY

The Shrine is a Harlem world-music room that holds around 200 people and plays like a party. It serves a full bar and food, and jazz, Afrobeat, reggae, funk and soul rotate on the stage most nights. The light is pure small-club: low ambient glow, sweeping color washes and spots that flare and fall. That means full manual, fast glass wide open and an ISO that rides the show without drowning your frame in noise. The floor is general admission, packed tight to a low stage, with no photo pit and no clean sightlines. Every shot is earned by reading the crowd and catching the beat a performer steps into the light.

Book the Shoot

Performing, hosting or promoting a show? Don't let the night disappear. Tell me the date, the venue and the vibe, and I'll make sure you have the photos to prove it happened.

NYC
347 855 7428
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